NEW YORK – Most of us have witnessed and perhaps even experienced how painful the holidays can be. And these accidents are often highlighted in many movies our friends and neighbors watch on a yearly basis.

The two burglars from Home Alone suffered immense injuries: stepping on broken ornaments, grabbing a red-hot door handle and getting whacked in the head with a shovel. Somehow, Harry and Marv lived to torment Kevin in a sequel.

I can’t even begin to describe the many accidents Clark Griswold endures in Christmas Vacation. Aside from crashing his car into a snow bank, Clark found himself in several other painful predicaments.

Although these films are dramatized, holiday accidents are often real – and really painful. A New York slip and fall attorney at Cellino & Barnes says there are many ways things can go wrong during the holidays – and we now have statistics to show for it.

“Aside from car crashes, thousands of people can break a bone or get a concussion by falling on ice – and there’s plenty of ice this time of year in Manhattan,” slip and fall lawyer Ross Cellino said. “It’s the most common type of injury during the holidays.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps track of most of these injuries in an effort to prevent them from happening more frequently. Some of the most common holiday-related accidents are not unlike those your favorite characters encounter in the movies either; aside from car crashes and falls, these yuletide accidents include:

Lacerations

Hit with something

Decorating/Wrapping injuries

Choking

Food poisoning

Electrocution

Burns

Children are also at risk during the holiday season. Many young children simply love sticking things in their mouths – including Christmas lights, ornaments and other decorations. In total, it is estimated that more than 90 children will visit emergency rooms this time of year for injuries that can be traced back to the holiday spirit.

However, the most at-risk age group are middle-aged Americans – and many of them are injured doing Clark Griswold-esque activities. The CPSC described more than 130 incidents of people between 45 and 65 suffering foot fractures, shoulder injuries, back injuries, and concussions from falling off ladders or getting electrocuted while trying to break a world-record for most Christmas lights drawing power from a single plug.

The Manhattan slip and fall lawyers at Cellino & Barnes say it’s important for holiday cheermeisters to keep safety first this season:

Make sure sidewalks and steps are clear of snow and ice

Keep children away from breakable or sharp objects

Use a ladder on steady and even ground

Keep your home tidy to avoid tripping on loose decorations

Avoid overloading electrical outlets

Read directions for toys and kitchenware

And drink responsibly

According to the CPSC, many of the holiday-related accidents are also fueled by alcohol.

The Manhattan slip and fall attorneys at Cellino & Barnes urge any accident victim to seek immediate medical attention. In many cases, those who have been injured may also be entitled to compensation. If you’ve been hurt by someone else’s negligence, call an experienced attorney at Cellino & Barnes today for a free case evaluation.

MELVILLE, N.Y. – As colder temperatures moved across the state this week, it came with some snow. And whenever the snow falls, kids are ready to hop on their sleds and find the nearest slope to slide down but doctors and Long Island personal injury lawyers are urging parents – and property owners – to put safety first.

A new medical study by Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare found that almost a third of the children who were taken to the emergency room after a sledding accident suffered head injuries. In many cases, the injuries were very similar to those seen in skiing and snowboarding falls.

The results have doctors and researchers alerting parents to put helmets on their children when they’re heading out to enjoy the slopes, in any form.

Their rule of thumb is: if the sled, skis, or snowboard can go faster than you can run, wearing a helmet is a wise precaution. A Long Island personal injury lawyer at Cellino & Barnes says property owners should also take precautions to make sure an accident doesn’t happen under their watch.

“It’s now estimated that more than 20,000 kids are injured while sledding every year and over past few years, we’ve seen many serious accidents in Long Island,” personal injury attorney Ross Cellino said. “It’s important to make sure these sledding areas are safe for children and that they’re in prime condition for sledding.”

Long Island personal injury attorneys say many sledding injuries are related to the condition of the property where the accident occurred. Investigators often find dangerous hazards that sledders aren’t warned about before sliding down the hill.

In 2014, for example, a teen suffered severe injuries after hitting a chain-link fence while sledding at a Nebraska school. The school district settled the case out of court.

Whether a sledding injury occurs on public property, private property, with a helmet, or without a helmet, it is always wise to have a professional legal investigator take a look at the circumstances surrounding a sledding accident.

Cellino & Barnes has been trusted by New Yorkers for over 50 years, and with offices across the Empire State, our attorneys have experience handling many types of injuries related to winter-weather and winter sports. If you or your child has been injured while sledding, contact an experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer at Cellino & Barnes for a free case evaluation.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Women around the country claim they have suffered serious and permanent injuries from a birth control device manufactured by Bayer. Earlier this month, Bayer filed a motion to dismiss several lawsuits against them but a federal judge ruled in favor of the alleged victims.

A personal injury lawyer at Cellino & Barnes says claims have been filed against the pharmaceuticals company over the permanent birth control device, Essure.

“This product involves a complex surgery and in some cases, patients have suffered severe injuries and complications that may be caused by these surgeries of the birth control device itself, named Essure,” injury lawyer Steve Barnes said. “Some of the most common complications associated with this device include chronic pain and autoimmune disorders but there could be many other negative side effects.”

The Essure device is made of metal and polyester coils which, if they malfunction, they can pierce or irritate internal organs.

Some lawsuits claim women have had to undergo expensive hysterectomies after suffering through years of pain.

Although Bayer is currently fighting against these lawsuits, federal courts and even the Food and Drug Administration have been listening to patient concerns. Recently, the FDA slapped a black box warning on Essure and has issued a three-page checklist for doctors – which needs to be signed by both the surgeon and the patient.

Still, critics of the device believe regulations are not enough and that the product is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market. Essure injury attorneys may warn patients not to sign the checklist until more research has been conducted and the open lawsuits against Bayer have been resolved.

Essure was approved in 2002 in a quick review process and with few clinical trials. By 2015, the FDA had received more than 10,000 reports of injuries, pregnancies and even fatalities related to Essure.

If you believe you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by a defective surgically installed device like Essure, the Essure injury attorneys at Cellino & Barnes can guide you through the legal process and help you get compensation for your pain, suffering and removal of the potentially faulty device.

The law firm has been trusted by injured patients for over 50 years to help them get the best result possible from a defective product claim. For a free case evaluation and consultation, contact an Essure injury attorney at Cellino & Barnes today.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Many of us start our day by putting on our boots, grabbing the shovel and heading outside to clear our driveways and sidewalks.

At least, you’re supposed to clear your sidewalk. In many cases, your neighbors might let it go but a Rochester slip and fall lawyer at Cellino & Barnes says neglecting to shovel your sidewalk could leave you on the hook if anyone is injured.

“Everyone knows they’re supposed to clear their sidewalks but every year, we see a spike in the number of accidents in Rochester,” slip and fall attorney Ross Cellino said. “When the snow is packed down due to foot traffic, it can form ice and we all know how dangerous that can be – and how difficult it can be to remove ice. So, it’s always a good idea to clear a path before it’s too late.”

Shovelers also need to take care of their own health. Rochester slip and fall lawyers say shoveling or firing-up the snow blower seems like a simple activity but they’re more dangerous than homeowners are willing to admit.

A recent study found that more than 11,000 people are hospitalized every year for injuries suffered while moving snow. Thousands more likely tweak a muscled and don’t visit the doctor for weeks or months – by that time they may have forgotten how they got injured in the first place.

Before you head outside in the morning, doctors recommend three important health tips to make sure you get rid of the snow efficiently and safely:

1. Lift with your knees, not your back – using your back muscles are a sure way to pull a muscle

2. Dress for the weather – it goes without saying: it’s cold outside. Muscles tend to operate more efficiently when they’re warm and the best way to stay warm when it’s below freezing is to wear layers and keep your extremities covered.

3. STOP if you’re feeling tired. The most common reason for hospitalization is exhaustion

If you experience any chest pain or have shortness of breath, it’s important to stop immediately and if it persists, contact a doctor. In many cases, these symptoms can be related to heart disease.

When you aren’t physically able to remove the snow, it’s still not an excuse to let the white stuff pile up. Rochester slip and fall attorneys say homeowners are usually granted a 24-hour “grace period,” so the second the snow stops falling, the clock is ticking!

If you don’t remove the snow in time, you could face a $150 fine or worse – someone gets hurt trying to traverse your Siberian-styled sidewalks.

Rochester slip and fall lawyers recommend calling a snow removal service in your area if you cannot physically remove the snow yourself. In many cases, you and your neighbors can rely on these services 24/7 and save someone else from a visit to the emergency room.

Unfortunately, many of your neighbors forego this responsibility and thousands of people get injured attempting to walk a slippery sidewalk. If you are one of those victims, Cellino & Barnes has helped countless others like you get the best result possible. Contact a Rochester slip and fall lawyer today for a free case evaluation.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – It was just before dusk on Sunday afternoon. I was walking around the house when something caught my eye outside, across the street in the snowy trees.

I stopped what I was doing and peered out the window through the snow flurry to try to figure out who – or what – was rustling around in the woods. By the time I realized what it was, he jumped out of the trees onto the busy street.

Screeching tires, a blaring car horn and the crunching of metal is all I heard next.

It’s that time of year again; and I’m not just talking about the holidays. It’s deer season; and I don’t mean hunting.

In my story, it was nearly the worst-case scenario: the deer escaped the crash and Prancer made it safely across the street to my apple tree in the back yard. The two drivers that nearly struck the 6-point buck scraped each other’s vehicles. Luckily, the collision was a minor sideswipe and neither driver was hurt but a Buffalo car accident attorney at Cellino & Barnes says animals are linked to hundreds of deer-car crashes each winter.

“Deer are very common this time of year in Buffalo,” car accident lawyer Steve Barnes said. “When they suddenly move into the roadway, a driver may not expect it and they often swerve to avoid hitting the animal but this action often causes an even worse collision.”

Although the data is still being collected for the fall and winter of 2016, there’s evidence to suggest this will be a bad winter for drivers and deer. According to new statistics from State Farm, New Yorkers have a 1 in 161 chance of hitting a deer and filing a claim. Unfortunately, with millions of motorists, and the majority of the population living downstate (where there are fewer deer), these statistics may be skewed for upstate and Western New York drivers.

Pennsylvania’s data may be a more reasonable comparison for non-city drivers. In the Keystone State, 1 in every 67 motorists will file a claim after hitting a deer – third highest chance in the nation.

The likelihood of running into Bambi on the roadway more than doubles in the last three months of the year: October, November and December during the animal’s mating season. Add snowfall to the mix and it makes this time of year extremely dangerous.

Not only are deer searching for a mate this time of year – they’re also looking for food buried under the snow, so they’re constantly on the move.

“All the factors are lined-up this time of year,” Barnes said. “The roads are icy; it gets darker earlier; and deer can jump out into the road at any second. Drivers must be alert at all times.”

In rural areas, deer collisions may account for nearly half of all motor vehicle accidents this time of year. Buffalo car accident attorneys say it is important for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles at all costs: the last thing anyone wants is to cause a crash with another vehicle or a pedestrian.

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, the Buffalo car accident lawyers at Cellino & Barnes can help you get the best result possible from your claim. Contact an experienced attorney in Buffalo today for a free consultation.

NEW YORK – A pair of toddlers were killed while napping near a radiator in their Bronx apartment, officials said.

The radiator exploded and filled their bedroom with scalding steam, the Daily News reported. The Daily News reported the girls’ father, Peter Ambrose, emotionally said the children were “the most beautiful babies in the world.” Reporters said their mother, Danielle Ambrose, found the girls in the room, filled with steam, after she opened the door to check on them.

CBS New York reported that Peter Ambrose, Danielle Ambrose and their children had recently moved to the city from Boston and were living in the Hunts Point building, where the city often places homeless families.

Stunned, many of the neighbors stood outside the building at 720 Hunts Point Avenue where Peter Ambrose and Danielle Ambrose were housed. Several neighbors told the Daily News that it was evident that the couple loved both of their children and that the building has had its share of problems.

The incident has sparked an investigation of the mixed-use building that housed the two toddlers, ages 1 and 2.

According to city records, there have been about 60 complaints at the building and housing inspectors have visited units several times this year for complaints of “no heat” in October and a faulty radiator valve in November.

A Bronx personal injury attorney says an intensive legal investigation should be launched to gather additional evidence to help understand this radiator explosion. Some of this evidence may include:

Eyewitness statements

Building and maintenance records

Professional evaluations from firefighters and other experts

Inspection records

Potential history of housing violations

And more

In any personal injury case, this evidence can be used in court to help the victims fight against the landlord for justice. There is so much pain and suffering because of an avoidable horrific accident.

City records show that housing officials cited the ownership group of the building at 720 Hunts Point Ave. with a code violation concerning “gas connections” but the citation does not say what, if anything, the property managers did in response.

NEW YORK – For millions of active Americans an injury can feel like a death sentence. Exercise is a vital part of an active and healthy lifestyle but an injury can change all of that in an instant.

For those who enjoy physical activity, having to ‘sit-it-out’ can trigger weight gain, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies a Princeton study found. Some people may never truly recover from an injury because of its devastating effects on personal exercise habits.

If your goal is to live a healthy and long life, you need to find ways to manage your injuries or overcome them. While that sounds like a tall task, a Brooklyn personal injury attorney at Cellino & Barnes says it’s not impossible.

“If you’ve ever suffered an injury, you know physical rehabilitation can be expensive in Brooklyn,” personal injury lawyer Steve Barnes said. “It’s our job to help our clients get the compensation they need to be able to afford rehab and medical treatments so they can live the happy and healthy lifestyle that they want – and used to have.”

Aside from physical rehab, how do you stay active while injured?

The answer is often complex and it depends on your injury.

For lower body injuries, it’s often crucial to ease back into physical activity. Activities like rowing are common recommendations until the lower body is ready for activity again.

For upper body injuries, doctors recommend exercises that reduce stress on joints. Activities in the water or stationary bikes can sometimes reduce upper-body use while still providing the exercise you’re looking for.

Those with back injuries are in a tough spot: rehab experts say almost any physical activity could cause detrimental complications but according to new research, there are some activities that allow even those who have suffered the most serious injuries to burn some calories.

It’s called nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT for short). Basically, they’re small, simple exercises that can burn calories. Researchers believe these activities explain why two people on identical diets have different experiences with weight loss.

According to researchers, some NEAT ‘exercises’ include:

Walking

Typing

Stretching

Chewing Gum

Fidgeting

And other small tasks

Doctors have concluded that these simple activities add up. In some cases, NEAT movements can burn up to 2,000 calories per day.

“Just moving around can be beneficial for the mind and body and that’s one of the reasons why we’ll find the best doctors and rehabilitation experts for our clients,” Barnes said. “Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience working with all types of accidents and injuries so we know how devastating it is to be off your feet for a while – but we’ve also seen many people overcome their injuries to be healthy and active again.”

In every case, Brooklyn personal injury lawyers say patients should consult with their doctors before beginning a new workout regimen. But don’t assume that you can’t burn calories just because you can’t run or lift weights.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident, know that the Brooklyn personal injury attorneys at Cellino & Barnes have helped their clients receive over $2 billion in compensation – and with their ‘No Fee Promise,’ you won’t be charged for their legal representation unless they win your case.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Like it or not, the cold temperatures are here and when the mercury dips below freezing, there’s a chance you can get injured – or be on the other end of a personal injury claim.

Each year, millions of people slip on ice. Not only can a fall like that be painful – it can be costly too. Slips on ice account for over 30 percent of all slip work-injury claims, an analysis by the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America found.

Generally, slip and fall victims are awarded significant compensation when their attorney can prove that an employer or a property owner did not supply a reasonably safe environment for their workers, customers, tenants or others. So, the best way to avoid being liable for a slip and fall injury is to prevent one from happening this winter.

A Rochester slip and fall attorney at Cellino & Barnes says there are several precautions property owners can take to make sure they’re doing everything they can to avoid an accident – but many people neglect these safety measures.

“Snow and ice removal can be a frustrating chore but it’s one we’ve come to expect living in Rochester,” slip and fall lawyer Ross Cellino said. “Luckily, it’s not a difficult job and there are many ways property owners can safeguard themselves – and others – from a devastating accident.”

Look for leaks. When the temperatures drop, water forms ice. The best (and easiest) way to avoid an ice problem is to eliminate any leaks that could form an icy patch. If some of these leaks cannot immediately be fixed, close off the area.

Check for ice. This seems obvious but many injuries happen in places that property owners don’t look. Regularly check pathways (both high and low traffic areas) for ice build-up.

Signage. It’s always a good idea to invest in some signs to warn people entering or exiting a building that certain areas may be icy or slippery. These signs should be clearly visible and noticeable by anyone who could be walking in the area. Simply alerting people that a floor may be slick tells them to walk a little slower and more carefully.

Melt the ice. There are several cost-effective solutions you can find at hardware stores to avoid the build-up of ice. Simple rugs can be placed at entrances inside a home or business. Outside, the old shovel and scrape is the best technique as it eliminates ice and snow.

Sidewalk salt can be used but it comes with some issues: Ice takes a while to melt and as it turns into water, it can make the area even more slippery.

Many of these ‘tricks’ are simple and can improve safety rather quickly but a Rochester slip and fall attorney says many people, unfortunately, neglect their responsibilities as a property owner and eventually, someone can get hurt.

If you’ve been injured after slipping and falling on ice, the Rochester slip and fall lawyers at Cellino & Barnes can help you get the best result possible. As one of the most recognizable personal injury firms in Western and Central New York, many of your friends and neighbors have trusted Cellino & Barnes to help them get compensation for their injuries. The firm’s ‘No Fee Promise’ guarantees injured victims that their lawyer will always put the clients’ interests first. Contact one of their Rochester slip and fall attorneys now for a free case evaluation.

NEW YORK – A Brooklyn man was struck and dragged under the wheels of a tractor-trailer Thursday morning, authorities said as they investigate another deadly accident in Williamsburg.

Police, witnesses and the victim’s family told DNAinfo Moshe Yide Weiner, 21, was walking on Kent Avenue near South 10th Street when he was hit by a truck on Kent Avenue at around 11:10 a.m.

Nearby construction workers witnessed the accident and some claimed they recognized Moshe Yide Weiner, saying he frequently made deliveries to the construction site.

An ambulance rushed the man to nearby Beth Israel Hospital but police said Moshe Yide Weiner later died from his injuries.

A Brooklyn truck accident lawyer says drivers of tractor-trailers must constantly be alert when driving in New York City but there are many more factors that should be analyzed when a person is struck by a large vehicle – including possible problems with the roadway itself.

Each year, thousands of New Yorkers are injured or killed in truck crashes that are traced back to driver error. An extensive legal investigation can analyze a trucker’s driving record and the number of hours the he has spent working; both outside the truck and while behind the wheel.

Although driving records can be important in any investigation, an experienced attorney can find other pieces of evidence that could help a victim’s family maximize their compensation when filing a claim. A thorough legal investigation will look at other factors, including:

Truck maintenance records

Road striping

Surveillance video

Traffic signals

Dashcam video from the truck itself or other drivers in the area

Overall road safety

This year has been a dangerous year for pedestrians in all of New York’s boroughs. Dozens of other people have been struck by tractor-trailers on Brooklyn streets this year and many victims have been killed – or they’ve suffered life-altering injuries as a result. In many cases, victims and their families can receive compensation for their injury or loss. This compensation can help cover the following costs:

Funeral costs

Loss of protection or care

Expenses from hospitalization

Loss of companionship

Loss of financial support from the victim

Pain and suffering

A successful claim can also spark meaningful changes in our community that could improve the safety for others in Brooklyn so accidents like the one on Kent Avenue that killed Moshe Yide Weiner can be avoided in the future.

If you or a loved one have been hurt in an accident, contact one of our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers for a free consultation at (800) 888-8888.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – After years of progress, the number of road collisions is on the rise again and if you believe in statistical trends, brace yourself for more crashes.

According to a statistical analysis from Allstate Canada, there’s been a slow but steady uptick in the number of claims. Last year, Allstate announced that it had identified a trend towards rising numbers of collisions and this year, the insurance company says its latest study demonstrates that the trend isn’t changing. In fact, the roads might be getting more dangerous.

A Buffalo car accident lawyer at Cellino & Barnes says the statistics mirror those seen here in the United States – where motorists have experienced the biggest spike in traffic deaths in the last 50 years.

“Highway fatalities steadily declined over the last four decades because automakers have made significant safety improvements and motorists are using seat belts more often in Buffalo,” car accident attorney Steve Barnes said. “Unfortunately, dangerous crashes have jumped over 10-percent this year and distractions are usually a factor.”

Distracted driving is a relatively new concept to drivers in both the United States and Canada. Buffalo car accident attorneys say most drivers weren’t aware of distracted driving before 2005. Thanks to the smart phone, almost everyone who gets behind the wheel knows what distracted driving is – and most drivers admit they’re guilty of it.

What began as drivers taking calls or sending text messages is now a much bigger problem today: we can browse the internet, listen to music, use apps, get directions, and even watch videos on our phones from the driver’s seat. Most of this activity is illegal in the U.S. but at any given moment, over 600,000 drivers are using smartphones or other electronic devices while operating their vehicle, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates.

It’s easy to imagine how a distracted driver could cause a crash: failing to stop at an intersection, stopping short in traffic or not paying attention to their surroundings.

So, it’s not a coincidence that those types of crashes are also the most common accidents on the roads. According to Allstate Canada’s crash data, the most common claims involve:

Rear-end collisions (26%)

Intersection crashes (24%)

Accidents involving parked cars (13%)

The roads also get more dangerous as drivers get closer to the end of the work week.

Data suggests that Fridays are the most dangerous days of the week, accounting for 17-percent of all collision claims. Most of these claims involved:

Buffalo car accident attorneys say the evidence suggests that drivers are not only more distracted than ever before; there’s also more traffic and even the most careful drivers must be defensive and on the look-out for others who could put their safety at risk.

Client Thanks

I would like to thank your firm for representing our family on behalf of my late husband. This whole process was, at times, difficult for us and sometimes painful. But, we were always in good hands as Brian and Maria are two of the hardest working and sincerest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They did a tremendous job.